Objective: At the present times uterus transplantation is an alternative therapy for women with untreatable uterine-based infertility factors. Before transplantation, the donor organ must stored in some solutions, but they may not adequate for protection. In this study, we investigated the potential protective effects of acetyl L-carnitine, added into histidine-tryptophanketoglutarate (HTK) solution, on rat uterus.

Methods: We divided 24 female Wistar Albino rats into four groups (n=6). Their uterine tissues were stored into four different solutions at different periods at 4oC ; Group 1 HTK, 4 hours; Group 2. HTK + acetyl L- carnitine, 4 hours, Group 3. HTK, 24 hours; Group 4. HTK + acetyl L- carnitine, 24 hours. Then tissues from uterus were used for histological and biochemical examination.

Results: In the study the number of TUNEL positive cells in group 4 was lower than group 3. Biochemically evaluated TBARS and NOS levels were highest in group 3 however CAT level was highest in group 2.